Washing apparatus



vMarch 27, 1928,

H. c:.f HEATH WASHING APPARATUS Filed Jan.25, 1924 2 .Sheets-Sheet 1 F?. 3.

INVENTOR I Harry C. /yea//z BYM'QLL March 27, 192s. 1,"663,911

H. C. HEATH n WASHING APPARATUS y F1ed'Jan-25, 1924 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 NVENTOR Harry C. f/e'a/ ATTORN EY Patented Mar. 27, 1928.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HARRY C. HEATH, F SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA, ASSIGNOR TO HOUSEHOLD NECES- SITY COMPANY, OF SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA, A CORPORATION 0F CALIFORNIA.

WASHING APPARATUS.

Application led January 25, 1924. Serial No. 688,436.

This invention relates to washing machines and more particularly to an improved machine constructed as a unit, and. adapted for insertion in stationary wash tubs or the like.

This invention consists broadly of a stand pipe or column having a blower and motor incased at its upper end, and a-perforated housing at its lower end, an inlet for the l0 blower positioned within the stationary tub, the said blower adapted to draw hot air from the tub, force it through the stand vpipe and outl through the perfor-ations of lthe housing into the contents of said tub l5 and continuously circulate the air in this manner to agitate the water thereby forcing the same through the contents of the tub.

Air is forced by the blower at considerable pressure and is emitted from the housing perforations and evenly distributed through the contents of the tub and the water therein is agitated to a considerable extent which causes an undulating movement within said tub andthe frictional contact of the air combined with this movement of the water thoroughly cleanses the contents of the tub. Washing machines of the present type are all more or less dependent u on agitation of the machine itself causing rictional contact with the contents thereof, or agitation of the contents against corrugations within the tub which in either case causes more or less wear and tear upon the articles therein, and it is the primary object of this invention to eliminate these objectionable features.

The principal object of this invention is to construct a washing machine adapted to force a column of air through the contents of the tub to cleanse the same by continued circulation of air and water through the fabric thereof at considerable force.

Another object is to construct a washing machine as a unit adapted for insertion in any stationary tub or like container.

Another object is to produce a washing machine constructed in accordance with this invention, which is simple in construction, positive in operation, and requires a minimum power supply in its operation.

Other objects and features of this invention will appear with reference to the subjoined specification and the accompanying two sheets of drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a plan view of a. stationary tub of the ordinary type showing my wash' ing machine in place in one section thereof.

Figure 2 is an enlarged elevation of the machine shown in Figure 1, taken on line 2--2 looking in the direction of the arrows, a portion of the tub being shown in section.

Figure 3 is an axial section taken on line 3-3 of Figure 5, looking in the direction of the arrows, the motor casing and control switch thereof being shown in elevation.

Figure 4 is a transverse section taken through the stationary tub on line 4 4 of Figure 1 looking in the direction of the arrows, a. portion of the stand pipe and liousing of the machine being shown in secion.

Figure 5 is a plan view, parts being broken away from clearness of illustration.

Figure 6 is a plan View of the blower disc, a portion of the motor spindle being shown in section and the vanes of the blower in dotted lines.

Referring-more particularly to the drawings; 10 designates an ordinary type of stationary ltub construction, preferably constructed with two sections 11 and 12, one for washing and the other for rinsing purposes. My improved washing machine is shown insert-ed in one of these sections as 11 and clamped in place to partition 13 thereof, as clearly shown in VFigures 1 and 3, or to the rear wall of the tub as shown in Figure 4 if desired.

My washing machine proper comprises, a rectangular air distributer housing 14, preferably of non-corrosive material such as aluminum for example, the bottom closure therefor being a separate cast plate l5 secured to said housing by screws 16. A. split clamping sleeve 17 as particularly shown in Figure 2, is cast integral with the housing 14 and extends upwardly therefrom at one corner and is slightly offset; said sleeve is provided .with outwardly extending ears 18, and a clamp screw 19, adapted to clamp said sleeve ti htly around a stand pipe 20 fitting within t e sleeve and extending upwardly above the upper edge of the partition 1.3 of the stationary tub.

A supporting cla-mp 21 encircleslthe stand pipe 20, and is adjustably secured thereto by a winged screw 22. A hook 23 is integrally formed with said clamp 21 and engages the upper edge of the partition 13 or the rear wall of the tub as shown in Figure 4 if preferable; said clamp serving to hold the housing 14 and stand pipe 20 in rigid upright position, as shown in Figure 3.

A blower housing 24 is supported upon the upper end of the stand pipe 2O by a neck member 25 cast integrally therewith and adapted to enclose said stand pipe, the lower end thereof is provided with a clamping sleeve 26 similar to the sleeve 17.

The blower housing 24 is preferably cast of non-corrosive material, such as aluminum and extends horizontally from the neck 25 and is provided with a circular chamber 27 having an axial extension 28 cast integral with the housing 24. An o ening 29 is formed in the top wall 30 o the housing 24 and a motor casing 31 attached to said wall by screws or otherwise.

A spindle 32 see Figure 3, to which the motor armature is attached extends through the motor casing 31 into the chamber 27 and extension 28, said motor casing 31 and spindie 32 extending axially of the housing and said extension 28. A blower disc 33 is positioned within the housing 24 just below the opening 29 and is secured to the spindle 32 by a rigid collar 34 and set nut 35 screwed upon the lower end of said spindle 32.

Radially extending vanes 36 are formed on the under side of the blower disc 33 and extend from the peripheral edge of said plate disc inwardly and end near the spindle 32, as shown in Figure 3 and more particularly Figure 6.

The axial extension 28 forms the intake for the blower and preferably extends horizontally therefrom and ends in a goose-neck 37 extending parallel with the stand pipe 20.

The distributer housing v 14 is provided with a series of spaced outlet perforations 38 communicating with the tub section 11 and adapted to deliver air thereto circulated from the blower 33.

A button switch 39 is attached to a bracket 40 formed on the motor casing 31 and the for this reason I rovide the tub with a cover 41 as shown in Figures 2 and 4 adapted to retain the steamtherein from the hot water in the tub. The cover 41 may be slotted out as at 42 to fit around the stand pipe' 2l) and inlet pipe 37. The air is forced from the blower at considerable pressure, and enters the water and contents of the tub, thereby agitating the water and contents to a considerable extent which causes an l'undulating motion within the tub -as indicated in dot and dash lines in Figure 4. The clothes are agitated by this motion and the air forces the suds through the fabric thereof to such an extent` that the cleansing operation is readily and completely accomplished.

The distributer housing 14 is provided with a series of angularly extending deiector ribs 43, as shown in dotted lines in Figure 1, said ribs, are spaced apart and extend radially and outwardly away from the stand pipe opening. VThese ribs enclose the several rows of outlet openings 38 and serve to deflect and equally distribute the forced air from the blower to said outlet openings.

The tub is also provided with the ordinary drain connection 44, to drain the water therefrom, a fragmentary portionl of which is shown in Figure 2, section 11, and in section 'l2 a plug 45 is Ishown for a. similar drain connection not shown.

Having thus described my invention, and an embodiment of it, in the full, clear and exact terms required by law, and knowing that it comprises novel, useful and valuable improvements in the art to which it pertains, I here state that I do not Wish to be limited to the precise construction and arrangement of the several parts, as herein set forth, as the same may be variously modified by a skilled mechanic without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention as defined inthe appended claims.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is the following, to-Wit:

1. A washing machine comprising, a stationary tub, a blower ymounted upon said tub, a motor for operating said blower, an adjustable stand pipe for supporting said blower, an air distributer removably secured to said stand pipe, said distributer having a rectangular shape, fitting approximately the bottom of said tub, and provided with a plurality of outlets on one side thereof and (lefiecting ribs on the opposite side, said blower adapted to direct an air blast through said out-let of said distributer and said ribs causing the air to circulate within said tub. 2. A washing machine comprising, in co1nbination, a tub, a blower having a housing, said housing being adjustably mounted above said tub, an air distributer connected to said housing, said air distributer adapted to cover approximately the entire bott-oni of :asl

the tub, a motor above said housing for said blower, said blower adapted to cause the hot nir to circulate in said tub;

3. A washing machine comprising in cornbinution, a tub having n blower, u stand pipe lor supporting sil-id blower above said tub, un nir tlisti'ibuter udjustably mounted upon said stand pipe and connected to said blower, said air distributer consisting of a. hollow rectangular casing having per'forations and 10 deeeting ribs adapted to direct the air through said ribs and said perforations into said tub.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing, I

have hereto set niy hand this 29 day of 15 Dec., 1923.

HARRY C. HEATH. 

